Petals & Roots: How To Create a Symbolic Floral Arrangement – and Welcome in the New Year with Intention
Choosing flowers with meaning makes a design so much more personal
From resolutions to rituals, there are many ways to welcome in and mark the start of a new year. One thing I like to do is to create a floral arrangement that carries meaning and is symbolic of the thoughts and hopes I have for the 12 months ahead.
Now, you don't have to spend a long time looking up flower meanings online to find several different ones for the same type of flower. This might be what a bloom represents in the Victorian language of flowers, its cultural significance in a different country, or its more modern-day meaning. Perhaps confusingly, there are often several different types of symbolism to discover. So, which to follow?
What You Need to Create a Symbolic Floral Arrangement
- A selection of fresh flowers of your choice
- Floristry scissors, such as these from Amazon, in a handy shade of red so they are difficult to lose
- A simple glass vase, just like this one from Amazon
Crafting a Symbolic Arrangement and the Meaning Behind Our Flower Choices
In the design I demo for Petals & Roots, the flowers and foliage I chose were anemones, star of Bethlehem, ranunculus, narcissi, privet berries, eucalyptus 'baby blue', and acacia.
My aim was to create a design which reflected feelings of hope, rejuvenation and joy, as these are sentiments I want to harness in 2026.
When arranging into a vase, I always start with the foliage to give me some structure. In this case, I chose to add eucalyptus for its fresh, uplifting scent. Eucalyptus oil is used in many natural medicines and I'm drawn to it at the moment for its association with healing, as this is very important to me as we enter into the new year.
I added star of Bethlehem, also known as Ornithogalum, for its association with hope. In the Victorian language of flowers, it symbolizes innocence and purity, which is often why it was historically included in hand-tied bouquets for weddings and christenings.
The tall, conical stems open slowly over several weeks to reveal individual, white star-shaped flowers, which is where the flower's common name comes from. It is in this biblical sense that the notion of guidance, or a guiding star, comes.
For an unapologetically stylish bloom, I next included anemones, which I adore for their jet black centers and paper-like frills.
The white anemone in particular is associated with sincerity, however in the Victorian language of flowers the overarching meaning of the anemone flower is love and forsaken love.
Because anemones close when night falls and reopen again in the daylight, they are also closely associated with feelings of anticipation, which is a rather lovely way to think about the excitement of the year ahead and what it might bring.
One of my favorite flowers in the world is ranunculus, with its seemingly endless ruffles, so I simply had to include it in my New Year arrangement.
Traditionally, they represent charm and radiance; an alluring attractiveness. They are also a hugely joyful flower. It is impossible to deny the cheer they bring to an arrangement and I love them for that.
Narcissus, which I added next, have an ancient and fascinating history to them; a blend of mythological tales, Victorian symbolism, and cultural folklore. In Greek mythology, Narcissus was cursed to fall in love with his own reflection and eventually wasted away as he gazed at it in a pool of water. It is said that narcissus flowers grew in his place to remind us not to be self-obsessed.
We often think of narcissi, or daffodils, as the first signs of spring, which is also why people associate them with renewal and new beginnings. In Chinese tradition, narcissus are seen more as a symbol of good fortune and prosperity.
You can discover so much more about the fascinating stories and history behind this symbolism in Shane Connolly's book Discovering the Meaning of Flowers, available from Amazon.
As a final touch in my design, I added black privet berries, which I like as much for their meaning as for how well they tone with the anemones. I understand them to be associated with protection, though this interpretation does vary.
You can find out even more about the Victorian language of flowers in Jessica Roux's book, Floriography, available from Amazon.
Shop My Essential Floristry Kit
Investing in simple, elegant clear glass vases will stand you in good stead as they are versatile and suit all kinds of different floral arrangements.
These are my go-to floristry scissors for all different kinds of arrangements. They are incredibly sharp and comfortable to use. I have had mine for more than six years and they are just as good as when they were brand new.
Not the most glamorous piece of kit you'll use, but a collapsible waste bag is by far the most useful thing I have in my studio. Easy to move around and saves me from sweeping the floor.
Petals & Roots is a weekly video series fronted by me, Rachel Bull, Head of Gardens at Homes & Gardens. Every weekend on social, I share my seasonal gardening and flower arranging expertise and advice.
